Genital Warts (HPV) Information

Information and Pictures on one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases Genital Warts/HPV

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)/ Genital Warts Information

There are more than 100, mostly harmless, types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), including some which:

cause changes in cells (these types increase the risk of cervical and certain other cancers)

cause genital warts

seem to have no harmful effect at all

Some HPVs cause common skin warts such as:

butcher’s warts

common hand warts

juvenile warts

plantar warts on the feet

These types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) do not cause genital warts.

About 30 types of Human Papilloma Virus are spread through sexual contact and can infect the genital area:

anus

cervix

penis

rectum

scrotum

vagina

vulva

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)is a viral infection of the skin and is sometimes also called

anogenital warts

condylomata acuminata

genital warts

venereal warts

It causes growths of skin-colored, cauliflower-like masses of various sizes and shapes.

It is thought there are more cases of genital Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection than any other STD in the United States, infecting from 3-28% of the population, with up to 5 million new cases reported every year.

Genital Warts Symptoms

Human papilloma Virus (HPV) lives in skin cells and may be confined to an early isolated outbreak or may be located internally in the:

rectum

throat

urethra

vagina

Symptoms that may occur several weeks to months after being exposed to Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) include:

itching or burning around the sex organs

painless growths in either sex usually on damp or moist surfaces of the body beginning as tiny, soft pink or red spots

spots develop into small, white/yellow/gray bumpy warts on the sex organs and anus

HPV Symptoms in women

Most women recover from HPV infections with no health problems at all and many women will develop a natural immunity against different types of HPVs.

It is still not known why some women develop further complications like:

long-term HPV infection

pre-cancerous abnormal cell changes

cervical cancer

HPV Symptoms In men

Genital warts symptoms are less common in men, however, warts can occur on the:

scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles)

tip or shaft of the penis

Anal sex can cause HPV warts:

on, in or around the anus and rectum

Oral sex can cause warts and symptom in the:

mouth

throat

Oral HPV Symptoms can include:

bleeding

difficulty in swallowing (if in the mouth or throat)

difficulty in urination (if in the urethra, penis or vagina)

localized discomfort and pain

You should see a health professional immediately if any of the following occurs:

bleeding or skin changes around the genitals

contact with an infected person

unusual growths or bumps

Note: The longer HPV warts are allowed to grow, the more persistent they become and untreated genital warts can eventually spread, grow, and multiply into large clusters causing health complications. Some people who are infected with HPV do not develop the warts for many years.

genital warts are very contagious and about two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with an infected partner will usually develop warts within three months of contact

Both men and women are equally susceptible to infection and it occurs most frequently in persons aged 15-40.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is transmitted (spread)

by people who are infected but who have no symptoms and unknowingly transmit HPV to others

by touching the genitals of someone during vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected partner

to a baby during childbirth if the mother has the virus

Very rarely HPV infections occur from:

children can get it while being bathed or changed

genital warts develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person

people can be born with the infection

Warts

can disappear on their own

stay unchanged

grow and spread

can return, sometimes after several months because the virus lies dormant in skin cells

can require multiple treatments

How Genital Warts are Diagnosed

Culture or Biopsy

A culture or biopsy of the abnormal tissue is taken and sent to the laboratory for microscopic analysis, where a health professional may recognize the classic-shape of the growths

Identification of some invisible warts can be carried out by applying vinegar (acetic acid) to suspected areas of genital tissue, in which the solution causes infected areas to whiten making them more visible.

Pap Smears

In a Pap Smear cells scraped from the cervix are examined under a microscope to determine:

if there are cancerous cells

if there is a cervical HPV infection

infections and inflammations of the cervix

thinning of the cervical tissue from lack of estrogen

If the Pap smear is abnormal there may be an HPV infection and a medical examination is needed to look for and treat any cervical problems. Unless you have genital warts or have had abnormal Pap test results, you won’t be able to tell you have the virus. If cancer is found your health professional will put you in touch with a gynecological oncologist.

Colposcopy

A procedure called colposcopy can be performed using a magnifying instrument to take a closer look at cervical and vaginal tissue

Hybrid Capture II®

Hybrid Capture II® is a new type of test used to find very small amounts of HPV in fluid or tissue samples

Genital Warts HPV Treatment

At this point in time there is no permanent cure for Human Papilloma Virus and it often comes back due to infection of nearby skin. Depending on factors such as the size and location of the genital warts several methods of treatment are available.

Your health professional will advise you of all your options and depending on the diagnosis you may need to:

have a colposcopy and biopsy

repeat the pap smear test

treat the cervix with antibiotic cream

Moderate to severe pre-cancerous growths require colposcopy and biopsy and destruction of infected cells may be carried out using any of the following procedures:

HPV / Genital Wart Treatment types consists of:

Cryotherapy

Electrocautery

Laser surgery

Topical Solutions

Cryotherapy

cervical or intravaginal warts are usually treated with freezing

freezing the growths with liquid nitrogen

Electrocautery Wart Removal

a 0.5 percent podofilox solution applied to the affected area but not washed off

burning the growths off with a potent acid, such as trichloracetic acid, applied undiluted to the infected area and washed off several hours later

use of a a blistering agent, such as 20% podophyllin solution (made from rainforest beetles) applied to the affected area and washed off later

Laser surgery Wart Removal

destruction of the growths with laser surgery

surgically removing the infected area

Immune response modifiers

A new class of drugs called immune response modifiers are being used to fight off the genital warts

A 5 percent 5-fluorouracil cream

Aldara (Imiquimod) Cream is available by doctor’s prescription only but can be applied to the affected area 3 times a week

Note

Aldara is for the treatment of visible warts on the :

genitals

peri-anal area

and not for treatment of:

cervical warts

intravaginal warts

Topical Solution for Wart Removal

There are several main topical solution currently used in the treatment of external genital warts and peri-anal warts.

Terrasil Wart Treatment

Terrasil is an FDA-registered wart removal ointment that’s packed with the nourishing ingredients your skin needs for relief. We use high-quality and powerful ingredients that are natural, organic and homeopathic.

Condylox is the first ever FDA approved gel that treats genital warts. The active ingredients in Condylox get right to the problem and start treating genital warts immediately. Condylox Gel 0.5% or Solution 0.5% is indicated for the topical treatment of ano-genital warts (external genital warts and peri-anal warts).

Interferon

The antiviral drug alpha interferon injected directly into the warts has been used to treat warts that have returned after removal using other traditional methods.

Studies show that:

a second course of injections of the drug was needed by some patients

the drug does not cure the disease

the drug does not reduce the rate of recurrence

the drug eliminated the warts in about half the patients

the drug is expensive

All three procedures can be done in your health professional’s clinic with local anesthetic.

Caution

If you are pregnant, you should not use, They maybe be absorbed by the skin and may cause birth defects.:

5-fluorouracil cream

podofilox

podophyllin

Preventing HPV Infection and Transmission

The best way of preventing the transmission of HPV / Genital wart is abstinence, this is impossible for most people and not any option. The next best choice is to avoid any contact with visible symptoms and correct diagnosis and treatment is required.

* if you feel you have come in contact with the virus the best thing you can do is flush area thoroughly with running water, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

People who have many sexual partners put themselves at higher risk of infection from genital warts and all STD’s.